NOC for Hogennakal granted like Bangalore drinking water scheme: Soz

Published: Friday, June 6, 2008, 16:10 [IST]

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New Delhi, Jun 6 (UNI) The Water Resources Ministry today clarified No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Hogenakal drinking water supply scheme was given to Tamil Nadu in 1998 on the lines of NOC granted to Karnataka for Bangalore Drinking Water Supply Scheme.

In a letter to senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojari, Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz said his Ministry had given NOC to Karnataka for utilising Cauvery water out of its own share for Bangalore Drinking Water Supply Scheme considering their urgent water needs in February 1998.

Thereafter, Tamil Nadu also requested for an NOC for utilising 1.4 TMC of Cauvery water through Hogenakal water supply and sanitation project on the lines of NOC granted to Karnataka.

An inter-state meeting was convened by the Secretary Water Resources with officials of Cauvery Basin states on June 29, 1998 regarding the schemes of both the states. The Ministry had expressed the hope that both the governments will act in their own interest and not object to schemes, especially involving the drinking water scheme.

The Karnataka Chief Secretary was also present in the meeting.

The Ministry had given NOC to Tamil Nadu in September 1998 for the Hogenakal project, Prof Soz said.

With Karnataka vehemently objecting to Hogenakal drinking water scheme and the Assembly elections scheduled, Tamil Nadu deferred work on the project till the conduct of the elections.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has promised to convene an all-party meeting after his government secured Vote of Confidence in the state Assembly and take a collective decision on the Hogenakal water supply scheme.